James Hunt

Hunt won the 1976 World Drivers' Championship in his first year with McLaren, and he stayed with the team for another two years, though with less success.

James Hunt in a file photo. (Image: Twitter)
By Nilavro Ghosh | May 30, 2022 | 4 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

James Hunt was a British racing driver who won the Formula One World Championship in 1976. He died on June 15, 1993. Hunt debuted in Formula One in 1973, driving for the Hesketh Racing team in a March 731. Before joining the McLaren team at the end of 1975, he won for Hesketh in both World Championship and non-championship races, driving their own Hesketh 308 car. Hunt won the 1976 World Drivers’ Championship in his first year with McLaren, and he stayed with the team for another two years, though with less success, before joining the Wolf team in early 1979. Hunt quit from racing halfway through the 1979 season after failing to finish a streak of events. He went on to work for the BBC as a motor racing pundit after retiring from racing. He died of a heart attack at the age of 45.

James Hunt before F1

Hunt began his racing career in a racing Mini. In 1968, Hunt moved up to Formula Ford. He was driving a Russell-Alexis Mark 14 automobile that he had purchased through a hire-purchase programme. Hunt finished fifth in his debut race at Snetterton despite losing 15 horsepower due to an improper engine ignition setup. At Lydden Hill, Hunt won for the first time and set a lap record on the Brands Hatch short circuit. Hunt competed in Formula Three in 1969 with a budget provided by Gowrings of Reading, who purchased a Merlyn Mark 11A. Gowrings planned to race the car in 1968’s final two races. Hunt won numerous races and often placed in the top ten.

F1 debut and teams

Hunt began his racing career in a racing Mini. In 1968, Hunt moved up to Formula Ford. He was driving a Russell-Alexis Mark 14 automobile that he had purchased through a hire-purchase programme. Hunt finished fifth in his debut race at Snetterton despite losing 15 horsepower due to an improper engine ignition setup. At Lydden Hill, Hunt won for the first time and set a lap record on the Brands Hatch short circuit. Hunt competed in Formula Three in 1969 with a budget provided by Gowrings of Reading, who purchased a Merlyn Mark 11A. Gowrings planned to race the car in 1968’s final two races. Hunt won numerous races and often placed in the top ten.

World championship win

When Emerson Fittipaldi left McLaren just before the start of the 1976 season, Hunt was the only experienced driver available to fill an unexpected vacancy. James was quick right away, but he didn’t become a consistent winner until he learned to regulate his raging emotions, even if he was still prone to temper tantrums. He used his fists to attack a driver and a marshal, and he stood in the middle of the track on several occasions, screaming vulgar obscenities at astonished opponents.

Niki Lauda, his closest driver friend, became entangled in a heated race for the 1976 driving title with him. Lauda had been in command until a fiery crash at the Nurburgring nearly killed him. James won that race and five more to set up a championship clash with Lauda, who had miraculously recovered, in the season’s last event. Because it was so wet in Japan, Lauda thought it was too risky to race and parked his Ferrari after only a few laps. Hunt stayed out in his McLaren and drove like a madman to finish third and win the race.

Career Stats

Races93
Wins10
Podiums23
Pole positions14
Points179

James Hunt ex-wife

Susan Miller (born 19 May 1949, married name Susan Hunt) is a British model, actress, dancer, and choreographer. She has appeared in a number of films, including Twenty Nine (1969) and The Wild Geese (2001). (1978). Miller rose to prominence after marrying Formula One racer James Hunt in 1974 and then divorcing him for Richard Burton in 1976. The couple honeymooned in Antigua with one of Hunt’s best friends who was also newlywed, and then relocated to Spain for tax reasons. Miller later stated that Hunt’s career took precedence over everything else in his life. He was also unfaithful on a regular basis, causing the marriage to fall apart.

James Hunt net worth

James Hunt has a net worth of USD 40 million dollars as a retired British race car driver and commentator. James Hunt was born in Wimbledon, London, England, and excelled in a variety of sports as a kid and teenager, competing in Junior Wimbledon and local teams in cricket and football. He became interested in racecars at the age of eighteen and began racing in the late 1960s. He began his racing career with Minis, swiftly progressing to Formula Ford and Formula Three. In 1973, he started racing in Formula One and soon rose through the ranks to become one of England’s most successful drivers. He achieved ten wins, 23 podiums, and 14 pole positions during his Formula One career.